Studies in human health have linked house mice to nearly a dozen diseases that can turn fatal in extreme cases. Many of the diseases are viral and occur when people come into contact with mice droppings. Among the most dangerous diseases include Salmonella, Murine Typhus, Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic Choriomenengitis (LCM) and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Moreover, mice are known carriers of a type of tapeworms referred to as Hymenolepis. Usually, people get infected by tapeworms after eating food that is contaminated with mice droppings. Eating poorly stored cereals poses a high risk factor to consumers although other food items can be as dangerous if kept in poor conditions.
Moreover, untreated mice bites are known to cause severe fevers than can also turn fatal if the victim fails to receive prompt attention. Sometimes, the victims may not notice any signs of mice bites when they are attacked, which often escalates the severity of the conditions. Quite often, mice lurk in dark places near food stores or kitchens where they attack people, especially when they are disturbed. Therefore, it is important for people to clean dark corners of food particles in order to keep the mice at bay. Lighting dark corners is another recommended way of discouraging the entry of mice into dark corners.
People may get infected by Salmonella or Hantavirus Pulmonary syndrome when they ingest mice urine that often contaminants uncovered grain or contaminated left-over food. Most of the diseases caused by mice present common symptoms, which may be difficult to diagnose for some people. The symptoms include high fevers, vomiting, respiratory problems, lack of appetite and loss of the sense of taste. It is recommended to keep food and utensils in safe places to reduce the risk of contamination. In particular, thorough cleaning of the cupboards and the clearing of clutter is a necessary step to deny the mice any breeding sites.
Children are usually vulnerable as they are more likely to ingest the foods that have come into contact with mice droppings or urine. Therefore, left-over chocolate, fruits and other food particles should be discarded in trash bins to protect the children. Besides, households should learn to keep trash far enough from the house to limit the chances of mice forming new breeding sites. Mice are extremely hazardous for whole families, which requires strict adherence to rules of hygiene on a regular basis. All mice-related symptoms should be reported to qualified medical practitioners as soon as they occur.
